Envelope opener



` ENVELOPE OPENER Filed June' 27 1921 im Thi-W y um 5 lUIMM .un ,IMM| m -f @f QL /2 .9y 4

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Patented Nov. 6, 1923.

e UNITED stares Y 'HAROLD E. SWENSONV, OF VALLEJO, CALIFORNIA.

ENVELOPE OPENER. l

Application filed June 27, 1921. Serial No. 430,761.

T all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, HAROLD E. SwnNsoN,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Vallejo, in the county of Solano and Sttate of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Envelope Openers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to paper cutters and more particularly to that class of paper cutters used for opening envelopes.

The object of the present invention is to provide a paper cutter of this class by which envelopes may be quickly opened by cutting oli a narrow strip of the edge, the width of 13 this strip being regulated so as to prevent injury to the contents. Y

Another object is t0 provide an envelope opener of neat appearance and compact construction so that it may be readily carried from place to place.

A further object is to provide a paper cutter in which the blade is securely protected to enable the device to be carried inthe pocket.

With the above'objects in view the invention consists of an L-shaped supporting member having a groove formed in its base, a cutting blade pivoted to an extension of the supporting member, a lug mounted on the cutting blade and extending below the edge of the same in order to prevent the blade from coming in contact with the bottom of the groove, and a spring normally maintaining the blade in an elevated posi-Y i" tion.

In the drawings Figure 1 represents an elevation of an en velope opener constructed in accordance with my invention; 4i Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional eleva-V tion of the pivot end of the blade, this section being taken through the groove ot' the base; and

Figure 3 is a transverse section of the same.

In constructing the improved paper cutter there is provided a supporting base of substantially L-shaped cross section, the vertical member of this supporting base being designated by the numeral l. The base portion of the supporting member is designated at 2 and is provided with a longitudinal groove 3 in its upper surface which has a slot 3 formed in one wall thereof for the of the groove 3 and thereby causing the said edge to become dull. This means consists of a lug 9 preferably formed on the blade 7 and as shown is adapted to engage the base of the supporting member before the edge of the blade reaches the bottom of the groove 3. This allows the blade to perform the function of cutting a stripfrom the envelope and at the same time preventing the cutting edge becoming dull by contact with the groove. Mounted upon the upper edge of the blade 7 is an operating member 10, which is-located at a point just in advance ofthe pivot 6. As the blade is pivoted tothe eX- tension 4 of thev supporting member and the operating member 10 is located justin advance of this pivot ample room is providedA for gripping or striking the operating handle of the blade in its operation. By refer- -ence to the drawings. this will be apparent as the portion l of the supporting member terminates in advance of the member 10. Located preferably directly beneath the operating member is a spring ll and this spring is interposed between the blade and This blade is pro-` the extension of the supporting member and serves to normally maintain the blade in anl elevated position.

The construction .of the improved opener is such that it requires very little space for aclrinfr the cross sectional area being ver s? e thin. v Y From the foregoing it will be seen that the invention provides avery simple and eiiicient envelope opener which is attractive in appearance .and durable of construction. As before stated the lug 9 prevents the blade 7 from becoming dulled so that the usefulness of the device is greatly enhanced.

Various changes in the form Vand proportions of the invention may be made as may fall within the scope of the appended claim. Y

Having described the invention what I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent,

1sti A paper cutter comprising a substantially L-shaped member including a base and a 5 vertically disposed Wall rising from the base, said base having` a ,groove at its upper face at the juncture with the side Wall and said side Wall having a slot adjacent the lower end and opening into the groove, a spring elevated blade pivotally mounted 10 upon the L-shaped member and operating Within the groove and an operating handle for the blade.

ln testimony whereof aix my signature.

HAROLD E. SNENSON. 

